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  • Jammu and Kashmir launches web portal, helpline to facilitate movement of stranded people

    CLICK HERE TO FILL UP REGISTRATION FORM TO COME BACK TO J&K

    CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE STATUS OF YOUR TRAVEL APPLICATION REGISTRATION

    “The web portal has already been updated with the details of persons who have already registered through www.jktpo.in. Those who have registered can track the progress of their application,” the spokesman said.

    PTI

    The Jammu and Kashmir administration has launched a web portal to help its residents stranded in other parts of the country due to the novel coronavirus-induced lockdown, an official spokesman said.

    The portal jkmonitoring.nic.in gives updates to those registered and also allows a person to check his application status for facilitating journey back home, he said.

    “The web portal has already been updated with the details of persons who have already registered through www.jktpo.in. Those who have registered can track the progress of their application,” the spokesman said.

    While a large number of people from nearby states have returned to the Union Territory, there are many who are queued up for undertaking train journeys back home.

    He said that “arrangements are being made for trains from various stations across the country”.

    “Trains from different states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telengana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam (for the entire North East), Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan and many places in Uttar Pradesh are being planned over the next few days,” the spokesman said.

    He said more than one train is being scheduled from one station if the number of stranded persons is large.

    The spokesman said as and when a person’s turn comes to board the train, he or she will be notified through SMS. Everyone will get accommodated and therefore, there is no need to panic, he said.

    In addition to the web portal, a dedicated 24X7 COVID-19 helpline ‘0191-2466988’ has been launched. People can get information on arrangements made for their movement here too, he said.

    To have regulated arrival to enable testing and to control the spread of COVID-19, the portal allows the government to issue authorisation for travel to individuals and groups as per the capacity.

    Passes for such movement, including by road, are issued by districts magistrates as per home ministry guidelines.

    The portal has received over 2,156 hits in a span of two hours with almost 50 per cent for downloading the authorization by the government of J&K, he said.

  • COVID-19: Breastfeeding safe, no evidence of maternal fetal transmission, say medical experts

    Srinagar: Medical experts Tuesday said that it was safe to breastfeed the baby as the pregnant women doesn’t transmit the virus to unborn baby stating that there is no study or evidence to prove that as on date.

    People in Jammu and Kashmir were having apprehensions that the virus was getting transmitted from a mother to her unborn and or new born baby through breastfeeding and maternal fetal transmission.

    However, medical experts have ruled out any chances of transmission from a mother to her baby. “Be it during breastfeeding or even when the baby is in womb, there is no such study or evidence that from any positive patient the virus gets transmitted. But mother needs to take precautions when breastfeeding a baby,” they said.

    Talking exclusively to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), valley’s renowned flu expert, Dr Nisar- ul-Hassan said that it’s totally safe to breastfeed the baby and the woman doesn’t transmit the virus to unborn baby as there is no evidence of maternal fetal transmission.

    He said that as of now they don’t have any evidence to prove that virus gets transmitted from mother to fetus, however, a number of pregnant women need to be studied for this as initial study says there is no evidence about fetal transmission of breastfeeding transmission.

    “Even here we don’t have proof of maternal fetal transmission. Few babies delivered in Kashmir have tested negative for novel coronavirus despite mother being positive stating that the pregnant women gets very mild disease and doesn’t transmit it to unborn or new born baby,” he said.

    He also said that mothers’ milk is so essential for baby’s growth and immunity, long term consequences and many other important things.

    “Breastfeeding protects the baby from most of the diseases especially infections now if the mother is COVID positive she should breastfeed the baby using protective gears like, triple layer surgical mask and wash hands appropriately when handling baby and it’s also safe to keep baby in same room at a distance of at least 1 meter,” Dr Nisar recommended.

    Dr Nisar said that if the mother has severe disease you will have to extract the milk by way of breast suction pump and the equipment used should be sterilized properly after every use though the virus is not found in breast milk as on date.

    He also said that if the baby gets the virus it has been seen that the children are not getting severely affected especially the infants get asymptomatic or they have a very mild disease since no infant has died so far due to this virus—(KNO)

  • Virus-hit Iran to reopen mosques for holy nights

    AFP

    Tehran: Virus-hit Iran will reopen its mosques for three nights over the next week so that worshippers can pray during one of the holiest times of year, a minister said Tuesday.

    The Islamic republic shut its mosques and shrines in March as part of its efforts to contain the Middle East’s deadliest outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

    The reopening was granted for Laylat Al-Qadr — a high point during the fasting month of Ramadan that marks when the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

    But Health Minister Saeed Namaki sounded a note of caution as he announced that worshippers would be allowed to attend mosques and ceremonies for three of the next five nights.

    “The biggest strategic mistake is to think that coronavirus is finished,” he said in remarks broadcast on state television.

    “At any time, we can go back to bad circumstances” due to “negligence,” said Namaki.

    “Our priority is to hold ceremonies outdoors” such as “in stadiums,” he said, “so that social distancing is properly observed.”

    Namaki said his ministry agreed in a meeting to help “organize ceremonies from midnight to 2:00 am during the nights of Qadr.”

    He said the move came in response to “concern” expressed by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but stressed the supreme leader “always supports all measures” to contain the virus.

    All gatherings would need to respect “sanitary protocols to the maximum,” he added.

    But he warned: “They shouldn’t blame the health ministry and say they wanted to open mosques but didn’t care about people’s health.”
    His remarks came shortly before Iran announced another 48 deaths from the virus taking its overall toll to 6,733.

    Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said another 1,481 people tested positive for the virus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 110,767 since the start of the crisis.

    Iran has struggled to contain its outbreak of the virus that causes COVID-19 since announcing its first cases in the Shiite holy city of Qom on February 19.

    The government closed schools, postponed major events and banned inter-city travel but it has eased restrictions gradually since April 11.
    It allowed mosques to reopen on May 4 in 132 counties where the virus was deemed to be under control.

    On Friday last week worshippers were able to attend the main weekly prayers for the first time in more than

    The government warned on Monday of a setback in its efforts to contain the virus.

    “We have regressed in Khuzestan due to (people) not observing health protocols,” Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said, referring to a southwestern province that is now the epicenter of the country’s outbreak.

    “This can happen to any other province if we are not careful,” he added, noting that tighter measures would be reimposed in other places too if needed.

    Experts inside and outside Iran have cast doubt on the country’s official COVID-19 figures, and say the real toll could be much higher.

  • UAE reports 783 new coronavirus cases, two deaths

    Gulf News

    The UAE announced 783 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths on Tuesday. The Ministry of Health and Prevention in UAE said the new coronavirus cases were detected through 32,000 tests conducted over the past few days.

    This takes the total number of confirmed cases in the UAE to 19,661.

    Two more deaths from the novel coronavirus have been also confirmed, taking the country’s death toll to 203, the ministry reported.

    According to the ministry, the deceased, who are of various nationalities, suffered from pre-existing chronic illnesses coinciding with the coronavirus, which resulted in complications that led to their death.

    631 recoveries have also been announced in the UAE. It is the highest number of recoveries reported in the county so far, and takes the total recoveries to 6,012.

    The latest coronavirus patients, all of whom are in a stable condition and receiving the necessary care, were identified after conducting more than 32,000 additional COVID-19 tests among UAE citizens and residents over the past few days, the ministry said.

  • Sensex drops 190 points; Reliance Industries losses over 6%

    The benchmark indices witnessed heavy selling this morning but managed to stage a recovery over the rest of the day.

    PTI reports: “Equity benchmark Sensex slipped over 190 points on Tuesday, dragged by a massive loss in index heavyweight Reliance Industries amid weak cues from Asian peers as fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections spooked global investors.

    After plunging over 716 points during the day, the 30-share index pared some losses but still settled 190.10 points or 0.60 per cent lower at 31,371.12.

    Similarly, NSE Nifty declined 42.65 points, or 0.46 per cent, to 9,196.55.

    Reliance Industries was the top loser in the Sensex pack, plunging over 6 per cent, followed by Asian Paints, Kotak Bank, HUL, HDFC Bank and ONGC.

    On the other hand, NTPC, Bharti Airtel, ITC and IndusInd Bank and PowerGrid were among the top gainers.

    According to traders, weak cues from global markets on fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections spooked investors across Asia.”

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • Coronavirus | Kejriwal seeks suggestions from public on relaxations, restrictions during probable extension of lockdown

    “Should markets be opened? Should public transportation be allowed? What should be opened and what should not while maintaining social distancing and taking care of our health but also the health of the economy of the state,” the Delhi Chief Minister said

    Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday sought suggestions from the people of Delhi on relaxations and restrictions to be put in place during a probable extension of the national lockdown to contain the novel coronavirus.

    At a digital press conference Mr. Kejriwal, who was part of a six-hour video conference with his counterparts from other states and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, asked the people of Delhi to send in their suggestions by 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

    “The Prime Minister, at the video conference with Chief Ministers, asked for suggestions regarding the extension of the lockdown to be sent by May 15. Today, I am asking the people of Delhi for those suggestions,” Mr. Kejriwal said.

    “Let me clarify, this is not voting but a call for suggestions. All the good suggestions will be discussed with experts, doctors which will form the Delhi government’s proposal to be sent to the Centre,” he said.

    “Should markets be opened? Should public transportation be allowed? What should be opened and what should not while maintaining social distancing and taking care of our health but also the health of the economy of the state,” he added.

    The chief minister asked citizens to send in their suggestions on the Delhi government IVR helpline number 1031, through Whatsapp on 8800007722 and via email to: [email protected]

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • 55 test positive as J&K records highest one-day jump in COVID-19 cases

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed the highest one-day jump in COVID-19 patients on Tuesday as 55 persons tested positive, taking the total to more than 900-mark.

    Professor Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent SKIMS 47 people tested positive at the tertiary care’s viral diagnostic lab in last 24 hours.

    Among them, he said, 28 are from Kulgam, ten from Gonipora Handwara, seven from Jammu while one each case in from Shopain and Anantnag district.

    Dr Saleem Khan, nodal officer told GNS that at CD Hospital Srinagar’s Microbiology Lab , 826 samples were processed and seven among them –4 from Kokernag Anantnag, 2 from Reasi and one from Kathua—tested positive. One case was reported from Jammu, sources said. (GNS)

  • Air-India flight brings 178 back from Dubai

    Another similar flight had brought to Kochi 179 Indian nationals, including two infants, from Kuala Lumpur on Sunday as part of the “Vande Bharat” mission of the government of India, an airport spokesman said.

    PTI

    An Air-India Express flight carrying 178 Indian nationals, including five children and an infant, stranded in Dubai landed at the international airport here late Monday.

    Another similar flight had brought to Kochi 179 Indian nationals, including two infants, from Kuala Lumpur on Sunday as part of the “Vande Bharat” mission of the government of India, an airport spokesman said.

    The country has started repatriation of its citizens stranded in various countries, especially expatriates from Kerala in Gulf countries, since last Friday and around 1,900 people have so far arrived in the state by air and sea.

  • Omar Abdullah condoles Tanveer ul Ahad’s demise

    Srinagar: National Conference vice president Mr. Omar Abdullah on Tuesday expressed profound grief and shock over the demise of editor-in-chief of GNS and Kashmir Glory newspaper Mr. Tanveer ul Ahad.

    The NC vice President said he stands in solidarity with Tanveer’s family in this hour of mourning and unimaginable grief and pray to Almighty to give them strength to bear this inconsolable loss.

    “He was a talented journalist and had made a mark in the field at a very young age. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace”, he added.

    National Conference Chief Spokesperson Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Provincial Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar, additional spokesperson Sara Hayat Shah have also expressed grief and shock over Tanveer’s demise and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

  • Trade unions may move International Labour Organisation against labour law changes

    This move was the second phase of anti-worker policies, they allege.

    Ten central trade unions on May 11 said they were considering lodging a complaint with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) against the “anti-worker” changes in the labour laws in some States, which they said was at the “instance of the Central government”.

    In a joint statement, they said the recent blanket exemption given to establishments from the employer’s obligations under several labour laws for three years by the Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments was a retrograde and anti-worker move. While the U.P. government had brought an ordinance for this, the M.P. government had reportedly said it would also do the same. The Gujarat government was also reportedly working on a similar exemption.

    “As the mass of the working people have been subjected to inhuman sufferings owing to loss of jobs, loss of wages, eviction from residences etc reducing them to hungry non-entities in the process of 45 days lockdown, the government of the day at the Centre has pounced upon those working people..Now the government at the Centre has taken the strategy of letting loose their pliant state governments to take such anti-worker and anti-people autocratic measures, many other state governments are expected to follow suit,” the statement said.

    This move was the second phase of anti-worker policies after six State governments increased the working hours form eight to 12 hours, it stated.

    “Central trade unions consider these moves as an inhuman crime and brutality on the working people, besides being gross violation of the Right to Freedom of Association [ILO Convention 87], Rights to Collective Bargaining [ILO Convention 98] and also the internationally accepted norm of eight hour working day – espoused by core conventions of ILO. The ILO Convention 144 in regard to tripartism has also been undermined by the government,” it said.

    The unions added that they were “seriously considering to lodge a complaint to the ILO on these misdeeds of the government for gross violation of labour standards” and that they would soon give a nationwide call to action.

    The statement was signed by representatives of the Indian National Trade Union Congress, the All-India Trade Union Congress, the Hind Mazdoor Sabha, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the All-India United Trade Union Centre, the Trade Union Coordination Committee, the Self Employed Women’s Association, the All-India Central Council of Trade Unions, the Labour Progressive Federation and the United Trade Union Congress.

    With inputs from The Hindu